By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
After another 7-9 season and another playoff-less campaign, the Eagles are entering a critical offseason and a future that remains murky at best.
It appears the franchise has its long-term solution at quarterback in Carson Wentz, but there is simply not enough talent and depth on the roster to say right now that this team is "close" to being a playoff contender.
The next three-to-four months will determine whether the front office can make the necessary additions and changes to put this team in a position to succeed.
It is difficult to say whether ownership, the front office and the coaching staff wholeheartedly believes this team is heading into the right direction. Moves that were made last offseason sent mixed signals about what direction the team planned to be in 2016.
The signings of Rodney McLeod, Brandon Brooks, Nigel Bradham, Ron Brooks, Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll indicated attempts at quick fixes to parts of the defense and offensive line. McLeod, Brooks and Bradham had varying degrees of success as free-agent signings, but some other additions and re-signings such as Brooks, McKelvin, Carroll, Rueben Randle and Chris Givens failed miserably. Though the Randle and Givens signings were low-guaranteed deals, it still was a swing and miss for Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman.
The organization did the right thing by trading up to select Wentz — despite giving up several picks spanning three seasons to do so. It was a move that made sense, because it acknowledged that they needed a franchise QB.
However, Sam Bradford was already on the roster at the time, after the Eagles re-signed him to a two-year deal last March. It created an awkward situation for Bradford, who knew the team was drafting his successor, though at the same time he could have handled the hardship much differently.
Was the team's plan all along to rebuild, retool or however you like to phrase it, or was it to remain competitive and aim to win a "weak" division? Well, at least that was the perception before the season, but that is no longer the case with two current playoff teams in the NFC East in the Cowboys and Giants, and the Redskins coming a win short of a playoff berth themselves.
Despite a 3-0 start, the Eagles finished with the same record as last season and appear stuck in neutral.
Being stuck in neutral as a franchise is always an unenviable spot. That is the concern right now with the Eagles, as a very important offseason begins. Fortunately for the team, the first-round pick they will relinquish to the Browns in last year's pre-draft trade, was recouped in the preseason Bradford trade. If they had their own pick, they would have the No. 12 selection in April's draft being held in Philadelphia, ironically enough. But after acquiring a first from the Vikings, they will either have the 14th or 15th pick, depending on a coin flip to determine a tiebreaker, which will take place at February's NFL Scouting Combine. The Colts are the other participant of this coin flip.
The Eagles also have a second, third, fourth, two fifths, sixth and seventh round picks. It is pivotal the team hits on at least three or four of these selections. Last year's draft appears to be encouraging with positive early returns from players such as Jalen Mills, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Isaac Seumalo, Wendell Smallwood, and of course Wentz.
Free agency begins in early March, and the Eagles have approximately $9 million in cap space, factoring in the increase salary cap figure for 2017. According to overthecap.com, Philadelphia has the fourth least amount of cap space entering the offseason. It isn't an ideal situation to add players via free agency, but of course there will be some players released due to the restraints in cap space.
One top candidate for release would be Connor Barwin. It is possible the Eagles can find a trade partner with two years left on Barwin's deal with minimal guarantees, but his abilities started to decline in 2016. If they cut him before June 1, it would save $7.75 million in cap space with only about $600,000 of dead money, according to overthecap.com. After struggling to excel in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 defensive scheme, the fan favorite has possibly played his last game in an Eagles' uniform.
Other candidates to be let go this offseason also includes Jason Kelce, Mychal Kendricks, Ryan Mathews and Leodis McKelvin. Kelce and Kendricks' cases are a bit more tricky with more dead money involved, but it could be time to move on from the veterans.
Defensive tackle Bennie Logan is also an interesting case to keep or let go as an impending free agent.
There is plenty of time to discuss potential free agent targets and draft selections in the weeks and months ahead. For now, given the state of the team, the organization is fluttering dangerously with the "stuck in neutral" label. There are more negatives than positives to draw from the 2016 season.
The only way 2017 can become more encouraging is a near flawless offseason. Given the history of this front office and ownership group, it is hard to have a lot of faith things can get turned around. It will take some time to see if the uncertain future can clear up for better or worse.
